MN State Planning Grant to Promote Continuity of Care for Medicaid and CHIP Beneficiaries Following Incarceration - Section 206 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024: State Planning Grants to Promote Continuity of Care for Medicaid and CHIP Beneficiaries Following Incarceration Abstract Enhancing Medicaid Access and Continuity of Care for Incarcerated Individuals in Minnesota The Behavioral Health Division of the Behavioral Health Administration, Minnesota Department of Human Services, is seeking the total budget amount of $5 million in 1115 Reentry funding from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop and implement a Health Information Exchange (HIE) platform solution as part of the state’s reentry efforts for incarcerated youth and adults. This initiative aligns with the 1115 Waiver Reentry Demonstration Project, which aims to improve the transition of incarcerated individuals by enhancing eligibility determinations and data-sharing between the Department of Corrections (DOC), Department of Human Services (DHS), and community providers. The HIE platform will streamline care coordination, reduce administrative burdens, and facilitate the exchange of health information to improve continuity of care for youth and adults who transition from incarceration to community-based services. The project will begin with state correctional facilities, providing a solid foundation before scaling to county jails and a broader network of healthcare providers. As additional funding becomes available, the HIE platform will expand geographically and integrate with existing Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, enabling it to accommodate more users and foster additional partnerships. This scalable approach ensures that the system can meet the needs of a larger population while maintaining the integrity of the reentry process. Minnesota seeks CMS support to build a sustainable, interoperable HIE platform that enhances care coordination, improves eligibility determination, and drives long-term reentry success of incarcerated youth and adults on their journey to rehabilitation. The project aims to improve healthcare access, including behavioral health care, and continuity of access for incarcerated youth and adults who transition to the community of their choice. Anticipated benefits include enhanced Medicaid enrollment, better care coordination, and stronger collaboration between state agencies and healthcare providers. The project also seeks to reduce recidivism by ensuring consistent behavioral health and medical support. Additionally, the initiative is designed for long-term sustainability and scalability, enabling future expansion to other facilities and regions while maintaining effective reentry services.
